The Wallabies are under pressure to win in Melbourne next week to keep the three-test series alive against the British and Irish Lions.

The British and Irish Lions start their Test series with victory over Australia but the game finishes flat after showing promise.

BRISBANE - British & Irish Lions rode a rampant first-half display to a 27-19 victory over Australia in the first test on Saturday, running in three tries in the first 41 minutes and holding off a late Wallabies fightback for a comfortable victory.

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell isn't buying into predictions of a 3-0 series sweep over Australia.

For the first time in more than 100 years, no Welshman will be involved when the British and Irish Lions play a Test match.

By Ian Ransom MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Wallabies icon Toutai Kefu has called on Australia's forwards to bring fire and fury in the series-opener against the British & Irish Lions and defy the doomsayers tipping a 3-0 whitewash for the hosts.

Australia boss Joe Schmidt confirmed key men Will Skelton and Rob Valetini will be available for the second Test after sitting out the Brisbane opener with calf injuries.

The British and Irish Lions start their Test series with victory over Australia but the game finishes flat after showing promise.

Of the 1,200 marshals on duty at Royal Portrush for the British Open, one of them, former British and Irish Lions rugby great Mike Gibson, had a reason to be distracted on Saturday morning.